James Faulkner ruled out of South Africa tour

Chloe Saltau and Chris Barrett

Key man: Allrounder James Faulkner starred in the ODI series against England and was considered a chance of breaking into the Test side against South Africa. Photo: Getty Images

In-form all-rounder James Faulkner has been ruled out of Australia's tour to South Africa while batsman Shaun Marsh is in grave doubt with a calf strain.

Australia's injury-free summer has come to a grinding halt on the eve of the Test squad's departure for the showdown with the top-ranked Proteas.

Faulkner will have arthroscopic surgery on his knee on Tuesday, Marsh will stay in Perth for treatment on his calf instead of getting on the plane to Johannesburg, and paceman Jackson Bird is battling a backproblem.

"James injured his knee during the Australia Day one-day international in Adelaide," CA physiotherapist Alex Kountouris. "He has had subsequent scans and was reviewed by Cricket Australia's medical teamand a knee specialist, and will require arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday.

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"James' exact rehab plan and return to training and playing will be determined after surgery but unfortunately for him, he will not be available for the upcoming Test tour of South Africa. We are hopeful that he will recover in time to play the Twenty 20 games on that tour and take part in the ICC World Twenty20."

Bird, who is nursing a jarred back, is no certainty to tour either. Bird, who missed the first half of his season with a stress fracture of the back suffered in England last year, was pulled out of a Futures League game in Brisbane this week.

He was supposed to feature for Western Australia's second XI against Queensland seconds because Tasmania have no fixture in this round, and was replaced by James Pattinson, as his state side Victoria are also without a match this week.

Pattinson has not played a first-class match since the second Test against England at Lord's last July, and used the hit-out with the red ball to good effect, taking 2-33 in 18 overs, including the wicket of opener Luke Pomersbach for nought. The Queensland team includes Pattinson's Victoria and Australia teammate Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris, who took a wicket with his first ball late on Monday.

Fellow Test squad members Nathan Lyon and Chris Rogers are playing in the second-XI match between NSW and South Australia at Blacktown. Rogers, making a cameo for the Redbacks, was five not out overnight after Trent Copeland scored 107 for the Blues.

Tasmanian Faulkner was 12th man this summer as Australia went unchanged in a 5-0 demolition of England in the Ashes. His lone Test remains his appearance in the fifth leg of the series against England at The Oval in August, but his brilliant one-day form has offered a reminder of how destructive he can be.

■ Graeme Swann has defended England skipper Alastair Cook's Ashes performance, saying the captaincy is an impossible task. Swann, who retired after three Tests of the 5-0 whitewash, was just one of several players who failed to fire. Cook shouldered much of the blame, and his captaincy was criticised by many, including Shane Warne. However, Swann says he was hamstrung by those around him. "He had to change things and try to be a bit funky as the series went on because we were terrible," Swann told BBC Radio.

9 comments so far

Moises Henriques replaces Faulkner? What about Dan Christian?Coulter-Nile for Bird?Phil Hughes for Shaun Marsh?Of the above only Henriques is likely to actually get a game.Looking forward to the tests.

Commenter

Trevor

Location

Binalong

Date and time

January 28, 2014, 8:16AM

Feel very sorry for Faulkner.

Commenter

Catherine

Date and time

January 28, 2014, 10:24AM

Faulkner is a long way from test standard, and Henriques is much closer, so the injury is a blessing. Now if only injury will correct the travesty that was Marsh's selection, equilibrium will be returned.

Commenter

Ken

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

January 28, 2014, 11:27AM

How the heck do you arrive at that conclusion? In 10 less matches Faulkner has about 60 more first class wickets, and has a batting average only one run less than that of henriques. Henriques passes 50 once every five innings, Faulkner once every six. Even henriques' strong suit is barely superior to Faulkner.

Commenter

Phat

Date and time

January 28, 2014, 3:50PM

Never mind,haven't heard a squeak about Clarke's back since OZ started winning games!! 5 full tests and 4 one dayers and nothing,not even a twinge.No showy stretching on the pitch like in UK a few months ago and no leaving a losing team in India to fly home to OZ to see a physio.Really a 9 hour flight with a bad back to see a physio?? Just saying!!!!!

Commenter

DIDUMS

Location

WA

Date and time

January 28, 2014, 12:56PM

I guess you'd know. Interesting the report that he didn't go to Perth was as he has to stand a lot during flights. I have watched him during Tests stretching while at the crease and in between overs. Actually looked like exercises a physio would advise. Just saying. Hey maybe I'm wrong he should have complained to the press every day saying my backs sore. Just saying hey. I actually think his back played a part in his slight form drop last three Tests. He will not make excuses though

Commenter

Armchair Selector

Date and time

January 28, 2014, 7:25PM

So because Clarkes back isn't sore all the time he must be putting it on? Lose the hate buddy your life will be much better.

Commenter

Mitch

Location

Muswellbrook

Date and time

January 28, 2014, 2:36PM

Only saying!!!!!!Back seems to be OK when team is winning!! lets keep an eye on it in S.Africa. No hate just an observation which we are all entitled to!! Why are some people so angry at others speaking their mind??